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Direct Support Professional
The Direct Support Professional – Residential (DSP) is responsible for responding to individual needs and emergencies as they arise during scheduled hours, health maintenance, personal care and social and emotional development. This position will attend to individual’s personal care needs, respect their privacy and home environment and maintain documentation as well as implementing the individuals Person Centered Plan, and oversee the individuals’ safety. An emphasis is placed on creating an environment that maintains and promotes independence and supports the individuals to experience a full-autonomous life.
Position Requirements
Kelberman is a leading provider of autism services for children, adults and families in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Promote the individuals’ independence by implementing the Individual Program Plan.
- Attend to personal, self-care and other program needs that the individuals cannot independently accomplish.
- Advise the nurses regarding the individuals’ medical and dietary concerns; dispense medication upon certification, when certified.
- Transport and accompany residents as required for appointments and community activities.
- Assist in the daily housekeeping and laundry routine, report house damage and complete work orders; clean wheelchairs, clean and gas-up Center vans as needed.
- Implement, document, and/or summarize programming as indicated in the individuals Person Centered Plan.
- Oversee the safety and well-being of the individuals.
- Maintain and regularly compile data and documentation to be reviewed by supervisor as required.
- Participate in activities as part of the treatment team that may include meetings, trainings and committees.
- Contribute to a positive work environment through collaborative team work and positive communication in alignment with Kelberman’s culture, values and mission.
- Demonstrate excellent work attendance by being punctual and reliable for all scheduled shifts and meetings.
- Ensure compliance with all pertinent government and agency regulations and operating standards.
- Adhere to mandatory reporting requirements and HIPAA laws.
- Must be able to attain and maintain SCIP-R and CPR certification.
- Must be able to attain and maintain AMAP certification if the position is an AMAP identified position.
- Maintain documentation as required.
- Respond to medical emergencies and log any/all incidents that may occur during working hours.
- Participate in evacuation drills as assigned and complete documentation required.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Abilities
- Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
- Exercise tact, discretion and judgment in working with a variety of people.
- Displays flexibility and openness in daily work and encourages others to stay open to change and improvement.
- Demonstrates and promotes respect toward coworkers and adapts behaviors to work effectively with varying people and situations.
- Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances are warranted.
- Must be able to work overtime and be mandated.
- Must be able to work at any Kelberman program.
Education & Experience
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Up to 1 year of experience preferred.
- Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances are warranted.
- Knowledge of basic computer skills.
- Travel and transport is required. Must have a valid NYS Driver’s License and require reliable transportation.
- This position has regular and substantial unsupervised or unrestricted physical contact with individuals receiving services and is required by law to be fingerprinted for a criminal history record check under OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities).
An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.
Work Environment/Hazards
- Job related tasks may involve possible exposure to blood, body fluids, tissue or spills or splashes from these substances. May have exposure to unpredictable individuals and situations when working at Kelberman Center sites.
- OSHA exposure category l.
- Employee will work with individuals with disabilities and may be exposed to verbal and physical aggression.
Physical/Mental Demands
- The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and sit.
- Must be able remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time. Must be able to move and react quickly.
- Must be able to bend, twist, reach, ascend and descend stairs.
- Must have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to manage and cope in sometimes stressful situations.
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position without compromising work-flow and efficiency.
Compensation
- $17.50 Hourly
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
